# NTSB MIA95LA173: Air Tractor AT-502, N91955, Belzoni, MS, July 3, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1995, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Belzoni, MS
- Coordinates: 33.169258, -90.480056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1693&lon=-90.4801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA173

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT. THE GUSTY CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN WITH A DIRECT CROSSWIND OF 10 KNOTS, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO VEER OFF THE RUNWAY INTO A DITCH.  AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL THE ENGINE RPM WAS NEAR IDLE.

## Factual narrative

On July 3, 1995, about 1700 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N91955, registered to and operated by Rays Flying Service, experienced a loss of control during the landing roll at a private airstrip near Belzoni, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured.  The flight originated from the accident airstrip about 1 hour earlier.

The pilot stated that while spraying he observed strong winds associated with a thunderstorm and flew back to the departure airport.  After touchdown with a direct crosswind of about 10 knots, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer off the runway into a ditch.  He further stated that the engine rpm was near idle at the time of the loss of directional control.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91955](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91955-2026-05-22), registration cancelled 2026-05-22, S/N 5020236, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-502
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5020236
- Airframe hours: 890
- Engines: P&W PT6 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Rays Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1995, 216 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: runway 27, 2,600 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 16,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 16,500 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GWO, 35 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19950703016199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950703016199A), Jul 3, 1995: Airtrc AT502, Belzoni, MS, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Truck a ditch. Blamed wind gust from approaching thunderstorms.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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